Babcock teams with Leonardo for Canada FAcT pilot training

Babcock and Leonardo announced on 14 May that they are to team on Canada’s Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) programme.

The M-345 HET jet trainer aircraft is expected to form part of the Babcock and Leonardo bid to secure Canada’s wider FAcT pilot training programme. (Leonardo)

Babcock Canada and Leonardo Canada have signed a letter of intent (LOI) to offer a joint solution to meet the country’s military flight-training requirements.

“Babcock and Leonardo can offer a modern and comprehensive solution, drawing on their long experience as leading providers of civil and military fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and mission training services. The companies stand ready to offer an innovative and comprehensive turnkey solution to meet all of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s training requirements,” the companies said in a joint statement.

FAcT will cover all facets of Canada’s military flight-training requirements, with a formal request for proposals (RFP) expected this year and a contract award in 2023. One contract will be issued to cover all the requirements, including maintenance and infrastructure services. The contract period is expected to be at least 20 years.

According to the statement, Babcock “delivers unrivalled technical instruction across multiple locations and aircraft types”, while Leonardo “can cover the entire pilot training syllabus with a unique range allowing the training syllabus to be tailored to air force requirements”. Although no aircraft types are mentioned in the announcement, Leonardo has previously said that the M-345 High Efficiency Trainer (HET) aircraft may form part of its bid.